Adhan

ʾAdhān (Arabic: أذان) is a set of phrases recited to announce the time of prayer. Adhan includes fundamental Islamic teachings such as Monotheism, the Prophethood of Muhammad (s), and an invitation to salvation by means of prayer.

Terminology

Lexically, 'Adhan' means announcement or declaration. The word 'Adhan' has also been used in the holy Qur'an in this way.[2] Iqama literally means to keep up or to make upright. Recited after Adhen which is the first declaration, Iqama is the second and last call which indicates the actual start of the prayer. Adhan is the call for gathering and Iqama is for standing up and preparing for prayer.
Combined together, Adhan and Iqama are sometimes referred to as Adhanayn (The two Adhans).[3]

According to Ahl al-Sunna

In some Sunni accounts, it is claimed that Adhan is man-made and not based on divine revelation. According to these reports, the Muslims first had various ways to call for prayer - and it was 'Umar who suggested that someone should be designated to announce the prayer time. The holy Prophet (s) then appointed Bilal for this task.[7]

According to other Sunni narrations, the holy Prophet (s) suggested that the Muslims, like the People of the Book, should use a horn or a bell to call for prayer. Then, 'Abd Allah b. Zayd b. 'Abd Rabbih had a dream in which the Adhan was revealed to him. The holy Prophet (s) recognized it as a true dream and ordered him to teach the phrases to Bilal.[8]Shafi'i, however, believe Adhan has too high a position to be revealed in the dream of an individual like 'Abd Allah b. Zayd.

Although the phrase of wilaya i.e. Ashhadu anna 'Aliayyan waliullah, (I bear witness that 'Ali is the wali of Allah) has been recited in the Adhan of some of the Imamiyya since early times,[10] it is not presented in Imamiyya sources as being a part of Adhan. It is recited after the third phrase two times.

The sixth phrase i.e. Hayya 'ala khayril'amal (Hurry toward the best of deeds) belongs particularly to the Shi'a, and is a distinctive characteristic of this sect.[11]Ibn Nubah, the mu'adhdhin of Imam 'Ali (a) used to recite this phrase in Adhan without objection from Imam Ali (a).[12] According to Shi'a reports, this phrase had been a part of Adhan until 'Umar omitted it due to his belief that it would weaken people's motivation for Jihad.[13]

According to Ahl al-Sunna

The phrasing of Adhan is the same as the Imamiyya, with the following major differences:

Malik believes the first phrase must be recited only twice, not four times.[14]

The sixth phrase i.e. Hayya 'ala khayril'amal, is not recited.

Tathwib, a term referring to the addition of the phrase: Assalatu khayrun minannawm (Prayer is better than sleep) is recited after the fifth phrase. The use of this phrase has been narrated by Abu Mahzura; however, it is disputed whether it was taught to him by the holy Prophet (s) or was his own addition.[15] Tathwib was never accepted by the Imamiyya.[16]

According to all four Sunni schools, the final phrase is recited only once, not twice.[17]

In reciting Adhan, Tartib (sequence of phrases) and Muwalat (continuity between them) must be observed. That is, it should be recited in its original order and with no unusual interruption or pause.[21]

According to the Hanbali and Shafi'i schools, reciting Adhan does not require a particular intention (niyya); however, according to Shi'a and other Sunni schools, such an intention is obligatory.[22]

According to the Imamiyya and Hanbali schools, Adhan must be recited in Arabic; however, in other Sunni schools, it is permissible for non-Arabs to recite Adhan in their own language.[23]

The mu'adhdhin (reciter of Adhan) must be a sane mature Muslim male. It is also preferable that he is just, has a loud voice and is aware of exact prayer times. It is recommended that the mu'adhdhin is in the state of Wudu or Ghusl and that he stands in an elevated place while reciting Adhan.[24]

Some scholars have explicitly mentioned that when heard only by a female audience, it is permissible for a female to recite Adhan.[25]

The Maliki school and some Shafi'i jurists hold that a Mu'adhin can be paid for his recitation of Adhan; on the contrary, Imamiyyah, Hanifiyya, Hanabila and some other Shafi'i jurists believe it is not permissible for a Mu'adhin to receive money for the recitation of Adhan, they argue for their opinion by citing a broader ruling that states "no one is allowed to take his religious duties (in this case, Adhan recitation) as a source for earning money". however, by distinguishing between the practice (which is a religious obligation and should not be paid for) and the position (which shouldn't remain vacant) these scholars believe such an individual must be provided with some sort of salary from the bayt al-mal (treasury of Muslim community). this changes the equation of practice-payment to that of position-payment which has different jurisprudential dynamics and consequences.[26]

According to the Maliki and Shafi'i schools, there should be Tarji' in Shahadatayn (the second and third phrases). That is, each phrase should be recited once in a whispering fashion and then repeated again loudly.

It is not permissible to recite Adhan prior to the time of Fajr (dawn) in order to awaken people for its performance. If recited early, the Adhan must be repeated at the proper time of Fajr.[27]

Other Uses for Adhan

According to the tradition of the holy Prophet (s), Adhan is whispered into the right ear - and Iqama into the left ear - of every newly born Muslim child.[28]

In the past, Adhan has also been used to call for public gathering in situations such as announcing the demise of a well-known figure, warning of a nearby fire, or demanding for justice.[29]